winter trips - staying safe

If you come on any winter camping trip, keep in mind these important safety rules:

1. STAY DRY AND KEEP YOUR THINGS DRYDampness makes you cold. Use outer shell layers of clothing that shed snow so you don’t get wet. Tuck clothes in and zip up parkas. Lace boots up snugly and pull snow pants over the top or use gaiters. Don’t get sweaty – take layers off as you warm up. Know where things are in your pack. Take care not to let things fall in the snow. If they do, brush them off quickly. Use Ziplocks and plastic garbage bags for dry storage.

2. IF YOU ARE COLD, TAKE ACTION RIGHT AWAY – DON’T WAIT Put on more layers, including a hat and neck gaiter or scarf, zip up and tuck in.  Run around for few minutes exerting as much energy as possible  Have a high-energy snack and/or warm drink.  If you are done for the day and you are wet or damp, change into dry clothes.

3. EAT AND DRINK - THE MORE THE BETTERFood: High energy foods like gorp, energy bars, candy bars, cheese, salami. Whatever you like that is high in calories.. Bring all food and water into the main hut building or it will freeze. Drink: Staying hydrated is critical to staying warm. Fill your bottle with hot water for the trail. Keep it from freezing during the day by putting it inside your pack rather than in an outside pocket.

4. WATCH FOR SIGNS OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IN YOURSELF AND OTHERSTell an adult immediately if :

You can’t feel some toes or fingers

You see white splotches on someone’s nose, cheeks or ears

You or someone else is shivering and can’t stop 

Someone is acting clumsy or is unusually quiet or is just acting unusual, particularly if they are not appropriately dressed or very tired or sick 

Set up a buddy system on all winter trips where buddies will take responsibility for checking each other for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

5. TAKE STEPS TO MAKE SURE YOU WILL STAY WARM AT NIGHT, INCLUDING:

Eat a big dinner and then eat a high energy snack right before bed. 

Bring an extra sleeping bag or a liner if you have a summer bag.

Put one inside the other.

Fluff out your bag(s) well before bedtime. 

Save a dry pair of clothes or long underwear for sleeping in.

Wear your hat and scarf.

Or, sleep in everything you have, including snow pants, as long as they are dry. 

Safety pin your parka to your sleeping bag over your chest. 

If you have to “go” at night, don’t try to hold it – you’ll sleep better and warmer if you just get up and do it. 

If all of your gloves or socks or boot liners are damp, bring at least one pair into your sleeping bag to help dry them out. 